Nutella Café Serves Junk Food All Day

June 01, 2017

USA Today reports that Chicago is now home to the world’s first Nutella Café. Operated by the parent company Ferrero, a derivation of the popular hazelnut spread will be incorporated in every menu item. Although they have emphasized that savory items are available, it is clear that this restaurant will be cashing in on America’s sweet tooth. As a marketing tool, the grand opening appeared to be a success, and hundreds lined up to witness the ribbon cutting.

That there is an enormous market for sugar-laden food items is no surprise. The good news is that many of the patrons had no choice but to stand in the block’s long line. Of course, breaking free from the sedentary lifestyle and enjoying the outdoors in order to wait for a sweetened hazelnut spread is less than ideal.

Nutella wants to normalize the use of their profitable product for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every snack in-between. They are looking to match Coca-Cola’s marketing masterstroke: convincing millions that their sugar laden syrup was an appropriate beverage for any occasion. Nutella is already a huge seller, but they are looking to change the public’s perception of this niche spread. What better way to promote Nutella as a staple item than to introduce the world to a menu that includes it in everything.

The news media’s motivation for providing fawning coverage of the grand opening is unclear. The role sugar has played in the global obesity epidemic is well documented, and the troubling nutritional profile of Nutella is listed right on the label.

Nutella’s makers attempt to distinguish themselves from other processed foods by pointing out that their product contains only five ingredients. It may be promoted as a hazelnut spread, but the top ingredient is sugar, which makes up over half of the product. This may explain Nutella’s rabid fan base. Sugar addiction manifests itself through intense cravings for sweet food. Eating sugar triggers the production of natural opioids in your brain. These hormones aid in relieving the pain and are triggered in the same way one would consume illegal drugs.

Another questionable ingredient in Nutella is palm oil. Nutella’s manufacturer sources palm oil that they claim is sustainable, but there are other issues to consider. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), akin to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recently released a study finding the chemical contaminants that result from refining vegetable oils (including palm oil), may increase your risk of cancer.

Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that helps Nutella obtain a spreadable texture. The bad news is that unfermented soy is high in plant estrogens, or phytoestrogens, also known as isoflavones. In some studies, soy appears to work in concert with human estrogen to increase breast cell proliferation, which increases the chances for mutations and cancerous cells.

Instead of Nutella, I recommend embracing healthier desserts that you prepare yourself. Here are a couple of delicious options. Abandoning all processed foods is a significant step, and can pay huge health dividends.

Hemp Chocolate Spread

Ingredients

•1/4 cup hemp seeds

• 1/3 cup raw cacao

• 1/4 cup ghee or coconut oil

•2 tbsp honey

• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Process all ingredients together until smooth. Add more sweetener as desired to taste.

Dr. Mercola's Macadamia Nut Fudge Recipe

Ingredients:

•300 grams (10.5 ounces) of cocoa butter

• 200 grams (7.05 ounces) of coconut oil

• 200 grams of raw, organic pastured butter

•300 grams of macadamia nuts

• 8 full droppers of stevia (can use Luo Han as a substitute)

•1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

Instructions:

1.Mix the butters and oils under low heat for three to five minutes. Once the mixture cools, add the stevia drops and vanilla extract. Pour the fudge into 8-ounce wide ball jars.

2. Spread the nuts evenly across all jars.

3. Refrigerate until the fudge reaches the desired consistency. This macadamia nut fudge recipe makes eight servings.

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